ENMU basketball splits final games

March 2, 2008

Freedom New Mexico

It’s been a long season and a tough learning process for the freshman-dominated Eastern New Mexico University women’s squad.

Still, the Zias were able to close out their campaign in style Saturday night, getting a career-high 22 points from sophomore forward Megan Kabrick in rolling to a 75-56 Lone Star Conference South Division victory over Midwestern State at Greyhound Arena.

ENMU (5-22, 2-12 South) scored the game’s first eight points, rolled to a 16-2 lead after less than seven minutes and never looked back.

For the Mustangs (9-18, 3-11), who dropped their eighth in a row, Tiffany Cook scored 17 points off the bench while Kaylong Hodge added 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Zias held Midwestern to 29 percent shooting from the field (18-of-62) and forced the Mustangs into 21 turnovers.

Baskets by Kara Bible, Kabrick and Malouff and two free throws by Malouff staked the zias to their early 8-0 lead. After two free throws by Cook put Midwestern on the board, Kabrick and freshman guard Lacey Acker hit 3-pointers around a basket by Fifer.

Midwestern pulled to 31-27 with an 8-0 run late in the half, but the Zias finished out on an 11-3 spurt for a 12-point lead at the break.
The margin was never under double figures the rest of the way, and ENMU led by 22 points (71-49) after a basket by Malouff with 4:38 remaining.

Hounds fall in final game
Guard Nolan Richardson IV scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and handed out nine assists Saturay night to lead Midwestern State to a 75-56 Lone Star Conference South Division men’s basketball victory over Eastern New Mexico University at Greyhound Arena.

The Mustangs (13-13, 5-7 South) dominated the first half and cruised from there. With the win, they avoided their first losing season in 10 years and relegated the Greyhounds (6-21, 0-12) to their first winless season in division play since 2000.

The Hounds built and early 5-2 lead on a 3-pointer by Ruffin with 16:06 left in the opening half, but Midwestern quickly took control. Ford hit a 3-pointer to tie it and two free throws by Earl Rabb with 15:13 to go gave the Mustangs the lead for good.

Richardson’s 3-pointer touched off a 7-0 run, also including baskets by Richardson and Davis, to put the Mustangs in front 24-10 midway through the half. ENMU got back within 10, but went scoreless in the final three minutes as the Mustangs carried a 33-21 lead into the break.

The Hounds stayed within the 8-12 point range for much of the second half, getting within seven three times. The Mustangs scored the game’s final seven points in the last 1:30 for their biggest margin of the second half.